Life & Work with Erin McLendon

Today we’d like to introduce you to Erin McLendon.

Hi Erin, we’re thrilled to have a chance to learn your story today. So, before we get into specifics, maybe you can briefly walk us through how you got to where you are today?
I first started writing when I was a teenager, not really knowing what I was doing or completely understanding what “songwriting” was. I had been singing my entire life and I knew it was something I enjoyed, I just didn’t realize it was something you could make a career out of.

The chance I had to share a song I wrote was actually for a school project in eleventh grade. We had been studying American history, specifically, the Vietnam War and the counter culture movement. Our assignment was to write a song in the style of counter-culture, and for extra credit, we could perform it in front of the class. As someone who wasn’t the *best* student, I jumped at the opportunity to get extra credit doing something I already enjoyed. After not only getting an “A” on my project but also receiving such positive feedback, I started realizing music was something I could do for a living!

I attended Belmont University and received my Bachelor’s in Music in Commercial Voice, and it was while I was at Belmont where I really started to pursue the artist/songwriter track. It not only made me a better musician but also, a better business person. I studied voice with a music business emphasis so that when I did eventually graduate and go out in to “the real world,” I felt better set up being in the industry I’m in now.

As I started pursuing the artist career thought, I realized there was a serious lack on female representation in the country music industry. I was even told by a record executive “…we already signed our one girl for the year so, we’re tapped out.” My jaw was on the floor! The “one girl” for the year, like there was a quota that had to fill just to be able to say that they had “diversity.”

It was at that point that I pretty much stopped chasing being like “everyone else” and started owning who I was as an artist, a writer, and what my purpose was. I felt the need to create more space for women in the industry so, I started playing with an all-female band (The HellCats!), I created my live all-female showcases “Music on The Move,” and I started focusing on who that made me as an artist.

This album that came out on August 26th is a bit of a reflection on my last 10 years in the music industry. All of these songs have been my favorites but never actually made the cut on to previous projects. I lovingly call this self-titled album my “collection of misfits,” because it’s a lot like my career and the people I’ve surrounded myself with. All people who’ve been told no their entire careers who stopped fighting for a seat at the table and just decided to create their own table.

I’m sure you wouldn’t say it’s been obstacle free, but so far would you say the journey have been a fairly smooth road?
Absolutely not, haha!

As a woman in this industry, you’re already 2 steps behind. If you listen to country radio, you might hear a female-fronted song once every 10 songs. As an independent artist, you’re everything. The manager, the booking agent, the bank, the glam squad, the videographer, the social media manager, the photographer, etc.

Thankfully, I’m very grateful to have a team of great people who I consult with and trust but it took me a while to find them!

There are a lot of people out there who claim that they want to “help the independent artist” but it’s not without a price. Yes, everyone has to get paid and make a living however, make sure they’re there to help you and not just their bank account.

Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know about your work?
I’m a country/American singer/songwriter. I absolutely love telling stories with my songs about me, about my experiences, and even putting other people’s experiences into songs (if they’ll let me!)

I’m super proud of this latest record because all of these songs have been my favorites to play live! They all come from different chapters of my life. From my first major heartbreak at 20, to meeting my husband, to all the mistakes I made in between, and even just moments from my own history.

The production on this album was very deliberate. My producer, Stephen Leiweke and I have been working together for almost a decade now and he really gets who I want to be as a musician. We focused more on layers of live instruments and the live sound to enhance the “vibe” of a song so that, if you heard the music without the lyrics, you’d still be able to identify the tone of the song. For example, “Millie,” has a darker, vintage, vibe to it because the lyrical content is about a story that took place in the 1930’s. While, “Sunday Crowd” sounds more upbeat, brighter, and has a “revival” tone to it to reflect the song’s content.

We’d be interested to hear your thoughts on luck and what role, if any, you feel it’s played for you?
Not many people know this about me but, I am actually a spiritual person. I believe in Faith and I also believe in energies and the universe. I was told in college by my voice teacher (about the music program), “You get out what you put in to this.” That’s really guided me since.

Whether you believe in manifestation, prayer, luck, whatever, I’m a firm believer that whatever you put out in to the world, you get back! Sure, I’ve had my moments of luck, good and bad, but, I try to focus on what I can control. Luck, is not something I can control. My attitude and my mentality are! If something goes wrong (and has,) there’s usually a reason and a lesson behind it. Or, it’s just a moment in time that sucked and can be moved on from!

All I can do is focus on doing my job, being honest, and doing the best I can!

Contact Info:

• Website: www.erinmclendon.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/erinmclendon
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/erinmclendonmusic
• Twitter: https://www.twitter.com/erinmcmusic
• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/erinmclendonmusic

Image Credits
Craig Young Photography